Take Your Kids Outside This Summer

by Jola Lorenz on July 4, 2012

[youtube:gb98QQhvIdY;[link:Nature Summer Camp];http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gb98QQhvIdY&feature=related] What are you doing this summer with your family? You might be thinking Europe? How bout Disney World? You might even envision yourself out camping with the family where man and nature meet

But, what if you have never been camping before and are a little reluctant to get started. Here are a few helpful hints.

Cookouts are a great way to start. Learn how to build fires, roast marshmallows and cook over the coals, no gas grills here. Once you feel comfortable making a fire and cooking try going to a local park to cook at one of the picnic areas. If you are not enjoying this part of camping you may want to back out and come up with plan B.

So you now can cook over a flame Next you need to feel comfortable sleeping on the ground out in nature. Why not practice in your back yard. This way you will become accustomed to hearing bugs and birds. The best part is if you have forgotten anything its much easier to get it from your house when your just in the back yard.

That cooking thing is only half the battle, next you need to know how to pitch a tent and sleep outside. As for tents you can often pick one up on craigslist very reasonably. Again, start local and practice in your back yard. This way you will know how to set up your tent and become familiar with nature noises. You will be astonished how much auto traffic you will hear. If you have forgotten anything try to live without it, on a trip you wont be able to just head back inside.

OK, you are ready, you have taken baby steps to get to this point and all along the way you have been spending time with your family. Again lets do our practice near home.You may even want to scout out the area before hand to feel more comfortable.

Many parents try this and decide that camping is not for them and yet they still wish for their children to have the opportunity to get out into nature. Kids Summer Campsare a wonderful place for kids to get a taste of nature and make new friends. Plus they offer parents a time to do a few of those other trips and summer plans they have been thinking of for the past many years.